Oil filter remover

ABSTRACT

A device for removing internal combustion engine oil filters and similar cylindrical objects attached to their support means by threads wherein the tool consists of a link member adapted to have a rotative torque forced applied thereto, the link including a pair of jaw members interconnected by a flexible strap passing about the oil filter, and the jaw members having filter engaging surfaces defined thereon wherein rotation of the link member about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the oil filter causes the strap to pivot a jaw member into torque transmitting relationship with the filter permitting the filter to be rotated and removed. The roll is inexpensive in construction and of concise configuration for use in close quarters.

United States Patent Kelso 1 Aug. 29, 1972 [54] OIL FILTER REMOVER Prima ExaminerJarnes L. Jones Jr rt E. K 150 k M h. ry f [72] Inventor Robe e Jac son 10 Ammey Beaman & Beaman [73] Assignee: Dowley Manufacturing, Inc., Spring Arbor, Mich. [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Dec. 3, 1970 A device for removing internal combustion engine oil filters and similar cylindrical objects attached to their [21] Appl 94783 support means by threads wherein'the tool consists of a link member adapted to have a rotative torque [52] US. Cl ..8l/64 o ce pp e ret e l n including a pair of jaw 51] Int. Cl. ..B25b 13/52 members interconnected y a flexible strap p ing 58 Field of Search ..8l/64, 3.43 about the oil filter, and the j members having filter v engaging surfaces defined thereon wherein rotation of [56] References Cited the link member about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the oil filter causes the strap to pivot a jaw UNITED STATES PATENTS member into torque transmitting relationship with the filter permitting the filter to be-rotated and removed. 3,465,622 9/1969 Wrnans 5.....81/64 The roll is inexpensive in construction and of concise 1,279,441 9/1918 Relvea 1/3. 3 x configuration for use in close quarters 994,953 6/1911 Robbins ..8l/3.43 v

6/1891 Hilton et a1 ..81/64 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Patentd Aug. 29, 1972 3,686,984

INVENTOR ROBERT E. KELSO ATTORNEYS OIL FILTER REMOVER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention pertains to the field of wrenches and the like utilizing pivoted jaw elements interconnected by a flexible means encompassed about the object to be rotated.

The oil filters commonly used on internal combustion engines are often of the screw-on type wherein a threaded conduit on the motor block,.or associated with the oil system, serves as the support for the oil filter and a threaded opening in the filter cooperating with the threaded conduit serves as the filter support and means for placing the filter in the oil circulation system. Such oil filters usually include an annular resilient sealing surface radially spaced from the threaded conduit support and to install the oil filter the operator merely threads the filter on the threaded conduit until the seal is compressed against a flat sealing surface.

While the tightening of oil filters of this type is normally recommended to be handtight the period of time the filter is used, the heat and vibration of the engine, and other factors, usually prevent the filter from being unthreaded and removed by hand, and considerable difficulty is often encountered in removing this type of threaded oil filter.

A number of tools have been specifically designed for removing oilfilters, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,013,455 and 3,465,622 are examples of this type of device. However, the tools shown in these patents, and presently available, have not successfully met all of the requirements of an oil filter wrench and improvements are greatly desired. For instance, US Pat. No. 3,013,455 discloses a wrench which requires radial clearance with respect to the filter which is often not cause the jaw engaging surfaces to be pressed against the filter to an extent which will deform'the sheet metal filter case and establish a most effective torque transmitting interconnection between the wrench and the filter. Release of the wrench from the filter automatically occurs on thereduction of torque transmittal to the filter, and a pair of jaw members are employed wherein the invention may be installed in either of two directions or could be used to install an oil filter, if desired.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an oil filter removal wrench of an economical construction which may be used in close quarters, and is capable of establishing a high torque transmitting relationship to an oil filter in an automatic manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 'upon an oil filter, and prior to torque being applied to the'tool,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of FIG. 1, the oil filter and the wrench used with the tool being shown in dotted lines,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, detail, perspective view of a jaw member, and

- ing an oil filter.

present, limiting this type of wrench to only certain makes and models of automobile. The construction of US. Pat. No. 3,465,622 requires less clearance than the previously mentioned patent, and is much more suitable for a wider range of installation. However, the wrench disclosed in this patent relies solely upon frictional forces for imposing a torque upon the filter and such frictional engagement is often not sufi'lcient to produce the required torque for filter removal. Likewise, wrenches such as shown in US Pat. Nos. 1,596,497 and 3,383,123 are not suitable for use for oil filter removal for reasons similar to those mentioned with respect to the previously described patents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the practice of the invention it is desired to provide an oil filter removal wrench of an economical construction, which is of a concise configuration in order that it may be used in close quarters, and the interconnection between the wrench and. the filter is automatically achieved as a torque is applied to the wrench link member by manual operating means.

The transferral of torque from the wrench to the oil filter takes place through the use of a flexible strap encompassing the filter and the pivoting of a jaw member pivotally mounted upon the link into engagement with the oil filter case. While engagement between the jaw member and the filter is initially of a frictional nature, the configuration of the filter engaging surface on the jaw, and rotational forces produced within the jaw, will DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As best appreciated from FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the primary component of the oil filter remover wrench of the invention is the link member 10 which is of a generally triangular planar configuration having rounded corners. The link member 10 is preferably formed from a pair of sheet metal stampings 12 and 14 of identical configuration superimposed one upon the other to together form the link member. Thus, the link member includes outer parallel planar surfaces 16 and 18, and a centrally located rectangular hole 20, usually of 96. inch square configuration, is defined through the link member perpendicular to the plane thereof. As will be later described, the rectangular hole receives the drive end of wrench means.

The link member 10 is of an equilateral triangular configuration and equally spaced from the hole 20 are a pair of holes 22 through which jaw pivot pins 24 extend. The pivots 24 form the support for the two jaw members 26 wherein each of the jaw members is pivotally mounted upon the link member.

The configuration of the jaw members 26 is best appreciated from FIG. 3, and each of the jaw members are identical in shape. The jaw members are of a generally yoke configuration including identical portions 28 and 28 parallel to each other and spaced apart a distance only slightly greater than the spacing between the link member surfaces 16 and 18. Aligned holes 30 are formed in the portions 28 for cooperation with the pivot pins 24 and the portions 28 are interconnected by a base portion 32 perpendicularly disposedto the plane of the associated jaw portions. An extension 34 depends from the jaw member portion 32, and is connected thereto by the neck portion 36. The normal angular relationship of the extension 34 to the holes 30, and hole 20 is best appreciated from FIG. 1.

The jaw member portions 28 each include a pair of oil filter engaging ridges 38 defined by surfaces 40 formed in each portion. As will be noted from FIGS. 1 and 4, the ridges 38 are relatively close to the pivot pin of the associated jaw member, and the direction of the extension 34 is toward the associated pivot pin holes 30, but slightly to one side thereof, the opposite side with respect to the filter engaging ridges 36.

A flexible metal strap 42 is riveted to the extension 34 of each jaw member by rivets 44, and the length of the strap 42 is such as to circumscribe the standard sized oil filter 46 to produce an initial relationship between the oil filter and the removal wrench as shown in FIG. 1. As most oil filters are of a standard diameter only one length of flexible strap is required to permit wide use of the tool.

It is to be noted that when the wrench is placed upon the oil filter as in FIG. 1 that the extensions 34 are disposed substantially tangential to the configuration of the oil filter. Once so installed the operating means for the link member may be attached, or the operating means may be attached to the link member prior to placing thetool over the filter. The operating means most commonly takes the form of a ratchet wrench 48 and an extension 50 attached thereto, as commonly used with socket wrench sets. The extension 50 includes a rectangular drive end which is received within the hole 20, and the ratchet handle will clear the end of the oil filter as shown in FIG. 2. This type of operating means is similar to that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,465,622.

To remove the oil filter after the filter removal wrench has been placed thereon as in FIG. 1, a counterclockwise torque is applied to the link member through the operating means which has not been shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 in order to illustrate the relationship between the filter and the wrench as fully as possible. The counterclockwise torque applied to the link member causes the left jaw member, FIG. 4, to move away from the filter, while the right jaw member 26 will move into engagement with the filter due to the tensioning of the flexible strap 42 and the movement of the link member. The resultant engagement between the ridges 38 and the filter casing permits the torque applied to the link member to be applied to the filter 46 tending to rotate the filter in a counterclockwise direction about its axis, and axis of support. Torque is continued to be applied to the link member in a counterclockwise direction until the oil filter begins to rotate. Resistance to oil filter rotation may require increased torque to the link member which will cause ridges 38 to deform the filter casing and become embedded therein, increasing the degree of torque that may be transferred from the link to the filter. The substantially tangential relationship between the extension 34 and the strap affixed thereto, of the right jaw member to the filter 46, FIG. 4, and the angular relationship of the extension to its associated pivot 24 will maintain the jaw ridges 38 disposed toward the center of the oil filter casing during the application of torque.

The application of torque continues until the oil filter begins to rotate in the counterclockwise direction.

Of course, once the oil filter begins to rotate due to the counterclockwise torque being applied thereto, the link member will orbit about the axis of the oil filter in the counterclockwise direction. However, as only a partial turning of the oil filter is required to break the filter from its sealing relationships with the oil circulation system, it is not necessary that the removal too] be maintained on the oil filter until it is completely removed from its threaded conduit support. A 90 rotation, or even less, may well suffice to loosen the oil filter to the extent whereby the removal tool may be pulled from the filter, and the filter unscrewed from its threaded support by hand. To remove the oil filter tool invention may be used to tighten an oil filter to its threaded conduit support, if desired. In such a case the procedure is similar to that outlined above, except that a clockwise torque is applied to the link member, rather than a counterclockwise torque. In such instance the left jaw member 26, FIG. 4, will engage its ridges 38 with the casing of the filter and a greater torque may be applied to the filter casing than would be possible with hand tightening. However, caution should be exercised to prevent the applying of sufficient torque to the link member, when tightening the filter, which would cause deformation or penetration of the filter casing.

The symmetrical configuration of the oil filter removal tool in accord with the invention permits the tool to be installed with either the surface 16 or the surface 18 extending toward the wrench operating means. Thus, should the jaw ridges 38 of one jaw member become dulled from use, the tool is merely inserted on the filter in the opposite direction which will render the other jaw member ridges operative to engage the oil filter casing during removal. Thus, maximum usage of the tool may be accomplished, as well as the use of the tool for tightening as well as removal purposes.

It is appreciated that modifications to the inventive concept may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A tool for rotating cylindrical objects, such as an oil filter, about an axis comprising, in combination, a link member, operating means defined on said link member for rotating said link member about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the object to be rotated, first and second jaw pivots mounted on said link member defining pivot axes substantially parallel to said link member axis, a jaw member mounted on each of said pivots, an object engaging surface comprising a pair of ridges defined on each of said jaw members, an extension forming a flexible strap anchor defined on each of said jaw members, said extensions extending in a direction substantially tangential to the object being turned upon the tool being placed thereon, and a flexible strap having ends and affixed adjacent its ends to said anchors, said strap being of sufficient length to pass about the object being rotated, said object engaging surfaces being located intermediate said strap anchors.

2. In a tool as in claim 1 wherein said extensions are disposed substantially radial with respect to the associated jaw pivot.

3. In a tool as in claim 1 wherein said link member is of a flat plate configuration having opposite sides and said jaw members comprise yokes having portions disposed adjacent each side of said link member, said object engaging surfaces being defined on both of said yoke portions of a common jaw member.

4. A tool for rotating cylindrical objects, such as an oil filter, about an axis comprising, in combination, a link member, operating means defined on said link member for rotating said linkmember about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the object to be rotated, first and second jaw pivots mounted on said link member radially spaced from said link member axis and disposed on opposite sides of the plane in which the axes of said link member and object to be rotated lie upon said tool being attached to a cylindrical object, said jaw pivots defining pivot axes substantially parallel to said link member axis, a jaw member mounted on each of said pivots pivoted about the pivot axis thereof, said jaw members being of identical configuration and each including an object engaging surface and a flexible strap anchor, said flexible strap anchor of each jaw member being located on its associated jaw member a greater radial distance from its associated pivot axis than the associated object engaging surface, and a flexible strap having ends and affixed adjacent its ends to said anchors, said strap being of sufficient length to pass about the object being rotated, said object engaging surfaces of said jaw members being disposed toward the object to be rotated and located intermediate said strap anchors. 

1. A tool for rotating cylindrical objects, such as an oil filter, about an axis comprising, in combination, a link member, operating means defined on said link member for rotating said link member about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the object to be rotated, first and second jaw pivots mounted on said link member defining pivot axes substantially parallel to said link member axis, a jaw member mounted on each of said pivots, an object engaging surface comprising a pair of ridges defined on each of said jaw members, an extension forming a flexible strap anchor defined on each of said jaw members, said extensions extending in a direction substantially tangential to the object being turned upon the tool being placed thereon, and a flexible strap having ends and affixed adjacent its ends to said anchors, said strap being of sufficient length to pass about the object being rotated, said object engaging surfaces being located intermediate said strap anchors.
 2. In a tool as in claim 1 wherein said extensions are disposed substantially radial with respect to the associated jaw pivot.
 3. In a tool as in claim 1 wherein said link member is of a flat plate configuration having opposite sides and said jaw members comprise yokes having portions disposed adjacent each side of said link member, said object engaging surfaces being defined on both of said yoke portions of a common jaw member.
 4. A tool for rotating cylindrical objects, such as an oil filter, about an axis comprising, in combination, a link member, operating means defined on said link member for rotating said link member about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the object to be rotated, first and second jaw pivots mounted on said link member radially spaced from said link member axis and disposed on opposite sides of the plane in which the axes of said link member and object to be rotated lie upon said tool being attached to a cylindrical object, said jaw pivots defining pivot axes substantially parallel to said link member axis, a jaw member mounted on each of said pivots pivoted about the pivot axis thereof, said jaw members being of identical configuration and each including an object engaging surface and a flexible strap anchor, said flexible strap anchor of each jaw member being located on its associated jaw member a greater radial distance from its associated pivot axis than the associated object engaging surface, and a flexible strap having ends and affixed adjacent its ends to said anchors, said strap being of sufficient length to pass about the object being rotated, said object engaging surfaces of said jaw members being disposed toward the object to be rotated and located intermediate said strap anchors. 